Men in blue soothe injured and frightened Sam Boy

A horse had a lucky escape and got away with two small wounds after it bolted while out for a drive, throwing its rider and hitting a car on the Coast Road yesterday afternoon.

Sam Boy, a light brown horse with white legs, was scared when his rider felt unwell while out trotting in Salini. It bolted, unseating the rider who ended up on the road.

Still tied to the sulky, Sam Boy galloped in the middle of the Coast Road towards St Julians and hit a car, whose driver drove on.

Police sources said a man driving past, stopped once he saw the horse running in the road without a rider. Parking the car, he managed to pull on Sam Boy's reins and drew him to the side of the road.

The rider soon picked himself up and tried to chase the horse but headed towards Buġibba, having been misdirected by a passerby, the police said.

The police and members of the Animal Welfare Department were immediately called on site. Although there were fears the horse would need to be sedated or even put down, Sam Boy remained calm and enjoyed the affection and caresses of police officers.

Sam Boy injured his right rear leg where he had two deep gashes. While waiting to be transported back to the stable, the horse tried to shift his weight on his other three legs, leaving red hoof prints on the tarmac.

Around half an hour after the incident took place at about 1.45 p.m., the owner drove up with a trailer to transport Sam Boy back to the stables. Limping slightly, he trotted into the trailer and whinnied in pain as his owner tried to soothe him.